The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-03-03

How the Neighbors and Friends Of the
Presidents Appointee Speak of the Man
Rejected by Republicans ON Account OF
His "Bad Reputation"
The rejection of Mr.. j. G. Matthews
by the Republican Senate is having
more serious effect on the party than
the partisan Senators ever imagined.
The prominent representatives OF the
colored race all over the country have
taken the matter up and have de-
nounced the unjust, narrow-minded
policy that led to the rejection of a
bright, capable, gentlemanly, we'll
educated member of their community.
Hon. John H. Smyth, ex-Minister
to Liberia, has been most determined
in his efforts to show up the un-
fairness and duplicity of the Repub-
lican party as shown in this instance.
The delegation which waited on the
President and presented him with
most eloquent and strongly-worded
address was composed of eminent coll
Bishops and minister. They regarded
it as a question of race, not politics.
Ex-Minister Smyth, a Republican, by
the way, in communication to the
Argus, alludes to card published in
our Republican morning contemporary,
and signed by colored man of this
city, stating that ''All Albany joins you
in our effort to send j. c. Matthews to
Liberia" Mr.. Smyth denies that he
ever suggested such trip to Africa
for Mr.. Matthews, but, on the contra
ry, considered him just the man for the
position of Recorder of Deeds for the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Smyth adds: "The members of
my party in the Senate opposed his
Democrat, saying, practically, that a
negro's personal liberty is limited to
voting with one party alone, and if he
dare vote or act with the Democracy he
is to be crushed. Mr.. Smyth further
remarks that the better class of col
ored citizens at Albany urged the SEN
ate to confirm Mr.. Matthews. He ad-
ministers the following severe rebuke
to the solitary crank who has been air.
ing his spite against Mr.. Matthews in
the columns of our Republican con-
temporaries:
I am concerned when, twenty years after our
enfranchisement, which was not due wholly to
white men of the North and West, but was due
to the combined effort of black and white men
who went to the front and battled for the main
tenance o the Union, that negroes should not
have learned that the advancement of any man
among US, whether he afiliated with Democrats
or Republicans, tends to lift the whole seven
millions to higher plane of self-respect and
respectabllity, and to eface prejudice from
white men of both parties.
As to the charges fled here against Mr.. Mat
thews, have to say that the committee,
through their chairman, Mr.. Ingalls,, say they
were too frivolous for consideration. It is q
fact that universally y-signed petitions Of col
ored people from Albany and all parts of the
country, whose respectability, Intelligence and
material worth entitle them to high considera,
tion, asked that Mr.. Matthews be confirmed on
account of his well-known unimpeachable char
acter, superior abilities and fitness for the ONCE
to which he was appointed.
In view Of the foregoing statement from Mr..
ingalls,, which was corroborated by Senator
Harris, his colleague on the subcommittee tc
investigate, can any colored man claim to be in
sympathy with the sentiment of the best ele
ment among our people at Albany, and pretend
that the charges made against Mr.. Matthews
are well founded, without laying himself open
| to Just censure Of being a little off-a crank
TOR rillustration.-AEbdny argus.